Global Talent Independent Program
More details have been released by the Department of Home Affairs regarding this program.
This program aims to offer a streamlined, priority visa pathway for highly skilled individuals to work and live permanently in Australia. The program is designed to enhance Australia’s ability to compete for the world’s best and brightest skilled migrants and promote Australian businesses of the future, and encourage innovation.
The eligibility requirements for the program include that the candidate:
- is highly skilled and internationally recognised in one of seven target sectors (listed below); and
- has the ability to earn an annual salary of at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold (currently $148,700).
In assessing whether a candidate is likely to have the ability to meet this salary threshold, the Department will consider a number of factors, including current salary or future job offers, as well as candidates who have recently graduated or are soon to graduate with PhD or Masters qualifications in the target sectors.
The following target sectors have been selected to foster growth in future-focused industries:
- AgTech
- FinTech
- MedTech
- Cyber Security
- Space and Advanced Manufacturing
- Energy and Mining Technology
- Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT
New Regional Visas – Further Details
Further details have been released concerning the new employer sponsored and independent regional visas that were detailed in previous Newsletters.
Further definition of regional areas for the purposes of the independent skilled regional visa (491):
International students studying at regional universities in the following regional areas will be eligible to access an additional 1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa (485):
Perth
Adelaide
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie
Wollongong/Illawarra Geelong
Hobart
International students studying at regional universities in any other regional area will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa (485)
Invitation priority for 491 visa
Invitations will be prioritised, based on the following criteria:
- Applicant with a skilled partner OR applicants without a partner;
- Applicant with a partner who can demonstrate Competent English (but does not have the skills for skilled partner points)
- Applicant with a partner who is ineligible for either competent English or Skilled partner points.
Concept of taxable income
To be eligible for the permanent visa after holding the 494 or 491 visa for at least 3 years, you need to show that you have a taxable income for each 3 year period at the minimum level (currently $53,900). Please note that taxable income is not the same as gross income or annual salary, and all visa holders should ensure that they meet this (and other) requirements to be eligible for the permanent visa.
Adrian Felton
Migration Consultant (MARN:0105680)
Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding the above information.
Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.